Method and apparatus for custom fitting a hockey stick and other sports equipment

ABSTRACT

A hockey stick is generally formed of a shaft and a blade. The shaft is hollow throughout and supports a grip area at one end and a blade at the opposite end. The shaft handle includes a grip and the blade includes a hosel at the opposite end. Similarly, the blade has a heel at one end and a toe at the opposite end. The blade edge profile is flat and provides full contact along the playing surface at all distances from the body of the player. When the player moves the stick forward or backward along the surface, the blade will maintain full horizontal contact with the playing surface. Increasing the surface area of the blade on the puck benefits the player&#39;s puck handling skills, providing better puck control, increasing shooting and scoring opportunities, and providing a learning tool to aid in the development of the player. The blade generally wears along the length of the edge between the heel and the toe.

RELATED CASES

The present application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application No. Des. 29/185,853 filed on Jul. 3, 2003 and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/371,032 filed on Feb. 20, 2003 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/309,839, filed on Dec. 4, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,855,078 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/819,843 filed on Apr. 7, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,817,957 which is a division of U.S. Pat. No. 6,855,078, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a flat profile, lie specific hockey blade and a method for custom fitting a flat profile, lie specific hockey blade to an individual.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Commercial hockey sticks generally have a fixed straight shaft and a blade having a fixed lie, loft and curvature. The blade is formed with a universal lie angle and a rocker bottom. A manufacturer essentially scribes a circle with a certain radius and then matches the blade edge profile to the radius, creating a rocker blade edge having only a pivot point resting on the playing surface. The blade generally wears on the heel surface edge.

This universal lie with a rocker bottom edge is easy to manufacture and even easier to stock in the stores. This one-size-fits-all stick forces a player to manipulate the stick into the proper position depending on the situation. Any slight movement creates an area for the puck to ride under the blade. When a player hits a wrist shot, the toe of the rocker blade rises as the player follows through and the player ends up topping the puck, rather than fully contacting the puck for a more controlled shot.

The player, therefore, must monitor the top edge of the blade to maintain the blade horizontal to the playing surface. The player must move the stick all the way forward to get the toe of the blade on the surface, all the way down toward the surface to get the heel of the blade on the surface, and anywhere in between to get the middle of the blade on the surface, requiring a lot of maneuvering by the player just to touch the puck. When a player with a prior art hockey stick rests the blade edge on the surface, the blade edge pivots about the heel area causing the blade to wear along the heel.

Adjusting the hockey stick to fit the individual player is limited to cutting the length of the shaft to a more appropriate length. To adjust the loft and lie angle of the blade, the player is forced to purchase a different hockey stick or blade altogether.

There exists no method or apparatus for custom fitting a hockey blade for maximum blade contact with the surface and a hockey puck thereby increasing the accuracy of a hockey player's shot and greatly improving the player's puck handling ability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for custom fitting the lie of a hockey blade to a particular hockey player.

The hockey stick of the present invention is generally formed of a shaft and a blade. In a preferred embodiment, the shaft is hollow throughout having a grip area at one end and a blade at the opposite end. Alternatively, the shaft may be solid from the grip area to a point above the hosel, providing a hollowed hosel area for supporting a replaceable blade. A third preferred embodiment includes a shaft that is solid or hollow throughout the length of the hockey stick and forms a one-piece construction including the shaft and the blade. Generally, the shaft handle preferably includes a grip at one end and the blade includes a hosel at the opposite end. Similarly, the blade has a heel at one end and a toe at the opposite end.

The blade edge profile is flat and provides substantially full contact along the playing surface at all distances from the body of the player. In contrast to the prior art, the blade edge rests on the surface between the heel and the toe. Therefore, when the player moves the stick forward or backward along the surface, the blade will maintain substantially full horizontal contact with the playing surface. Increasing the surface area of the blade on the puck benefits the player's puck handling skills, providing better puck control, increasing shooting and scoring opportunities, and providing a learning tool to aid in the development of the player. The blade generally wears along the length of the edge between the heel and the toe.

The lie angle of the blade to the playing surface is based on the scale standards set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,855,078 incorporated herein by reference. In a preferred embodiment, the “5” lie represents a 45 degree angle between the hosel and the shaft. Each lie is 2 full degrees of angle. Therefore, each change of lie angle represented by a graduation on the scale equals a 2 degree change, plus or minus, to the base angle of 45 degrees between the hosel and shaft. Each graduation on the scale represents a ½ increment of lie movement reflecting 1 degree of change, plus or minus, to the base lie angle of 45 degrees: the 5.5 lie represents 46 degrees, the 4.5 lie represents 44 degrees.

Providing a standardized lie scale insures consistency when replacing or interchanging shafts and blades. This interchangeability extends throughout the range of relevant hockey shaft lengths and strengths. Therefore, a 5 lie on a blade for a senior player is identical to a 5 lie on a blade for an intermediate or junior player, where the lie angle of the blade remains consistent.

The hockey stick of the present invention may be used for any sport such as surface hockey, roller hockey, street hockey, or ball hockey to name a few, and the measurements for determining the proper length of the hockey shaft and the corresponding proper lie angle of the blade to the playing surface are measured using the corresponding footwear for the preferred sport.

In a first preferred embodiment, a method for determining the proper blade lie angle for full blade-to-surface contact uses a static lie determination system wherein the player is standing still in an upright stance and a certain height above a hard surface replicating a playing surface. Preferably, the player has on a pair of hockey skates or roller blades. Alternatively, the player may stand on a level stair-step provided with a height of 2⅞″ above a hard surfaced area. This height is an average height that a player is above the playing surface from the bottom edge of a skate blade and attached boot to the bottom of a player's foot.

While standing on skates or the step, the player holds a hockey stick having a shaft and a blade upright and parallel to the player's body to measure the preferred shaft length. Adjustments are made to the shaft by cutting the handle end off to the appropriate point or if the shaft is too short, then finding a longer shafted stick or adding a plug at the grip end of the shaft to extend the length. Preferably, the proper length of the shaft is determined by resting the handle end of the shaft on the player's chin area, the shaft extending parallel to the player's body, with the blade extending at an angle to the hard surface and the toe of the blade on the surface and resting the opposing end of said shaft against the player. A preferred length of the shaft is when the top edge of the handle area falls between the chin and the nose of the player but may vary according to a player's preference.

Once a preferred shaft length is determined and provided, the player grasps the shaft at the handle and extends the hockey stick in front so that the player's arm is in line from shoulder to hip at the player's side while standing up straight with a relaxed grip. Bending the player's elbow slightly, the heel of the player's hand should rest at the greater trochanter, above mid-thigh and even with the buttocks. Successful full blade to surface contact occurs when the lower edge of the blade, between the heel and the toe, lies flat on the hard surface. If the lower edge of the blade does not lay flat on the surface, then the player chooses a different stick with lie angle until such contact is found. Preferably, if the heel of the blade is too high and angles upward from the hard surface, then the lie angle of the blade to the hard surface should be increased, i.e., from a 4 to a 4.5. Alternatively, if the toe of the blade is too high and angles upward from the hard surface, then the lie angle of the blade to the hard surface should be decreased, i.e., from a 4 to a 3.5.

A second preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a method for determining the proper blade lie angle for full blade-to-surface contact uses an active lie determination system wherein the player is skating on a playing surface. Initially, the player determines the proper height of the hockey stick using the method above while standing in skates (hockey or rollerblades) on the playing surface. Once the proper shaft is measured, the blade is wrapped with tape in the flat area between the heel and the toe. The player then skates along the playing surface while holding the opposing end of the shaft in the player's hand and placing the blade upon the surface so that the taped blade makes contact with the playing surface. Preferably, the player skates along the surface in a normal playing stance so that an accurate assessment of blade to surface contact is created along the taped area of the blade. After skating, the lower edge of the blade along the taped area is observed to determine the blade to surface contact area.

Successful full blade to surface contact occurs when the lower edge of the blade, between the heel and the toe, lies flat on the hard surface. If the lower edge of the blade does not lay flat on the surface, then the player chooses a different stick with lie angle until such contact is found. Preferably, if the heel of the blade is too high and angles upward from the hard surface, then the lie angle of the blade to the hard surface should be increased, i.e., from a 5 to a 5.5. Alternatively, if the toe of the blade is too high and angles upward from the hard surface, then the lie angle of the blade to the hard surface should be decreased, i.e., from a 5 to a 4.5.

The lie angle of the blade may be adjusted after each trial skate to achieve maximum blade contact with the surface thereby increasing puck control and shooting of the individual player.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description in combination with the accompanying drawings, which depict systems and components that can be used alone or in combination with each other in accordance with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art blade with universal lie angle and a rocker bottom.

FIG. 2 illustrates a prior art method for forming the radius of the prior art rocker bottom.

FIG. 3 illustrates a hockey stick of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating a preferred embodiment of a hockey stick blade of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plane view illustrating a preferred embodiment of a hockey stick shaft of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a method for measuring the preferred shaft length of hockey stick of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method for measuring the lie angle of the flat blade of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a method for positioning a player when measuring the lie angle of the flat blade of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a prior art hockey blade 12″ and method for making a universal lie angle with a rocker bottom blade 12″ is there shown. Such prior art blades generally have a fixed lie, loft and curvature. The blade is formed with a universal lie angle and a rocker bottom. A manufacturer essentially scribes a circle with a certain radius and then matches the blade edge profile to the radius, creating a rocker blade edge having only a pivot point resting on the playing surface, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The blade generally wears on the heel surface edge.

With reference to FIGS. 3-5, a hockey stick 10 of the present invention is there shown and includes a hockey blade 12 and a shaft 14. The shaft 14 (FIG. 3) has a grip 16 at one end and a hosel 18 opposite the grip 16 along the shaft 14. For purposes of describing the method for customizing the lie of a hockey stick 10, an imaginary Y-axis is shown extending along the centerline 20 of the shaft 14.

The blade 12 (FIGS. 4 and 5) includes a heel 22 at one end and a toe 24 opposite the heel 22 and a blade face 23 forming the planar surface extending between them. For purposes of describing the method for customizing the lie of a hockey stick 10, an imaginary X-axis is shown extending along the centerline 26 of the blade 12. An imaginary point of intersection between the X and Y axes is indicated at reference numeral 28 (FIGS. 3-5.)

The lie angle 34 is the angle of the blade 12 to a playing surface 36 and is equal to the angle between the X and Y axes. Each degree of movement or rotation of the hockey blade 12 about the shaft 14 corresponds to movement of the X-axis 26 relative to the Y-axis 20 resulting in an angle measurement of a preferred lie angle 34. This measurement provides an accurate reading of the preferred lie angle 34 of the blade 12 to the shaft 14. In a preferred embodiment, each whole numbered lie angle 34 represents 2 degrees of movement of the blade 12 (X-axis 26) toward or away from the shaft 14 (Y-axis 20.) A range of lie angles between 1 and 15 is preferred and a range of lie angles incremental to each degree is also envisioned, i.e. 1 degree. In a preferred embodiment, the numerical graduation of 5 represents a 45 degree angle between the hosel 18 and the shaft 14. Therefore, each change of lie angle represented by a whole number equals a 2 degree change, plus or minus, to the base angle of 45 degrees between the hosel and shaft. Therefore a 6 lie angle corresponds to a 47 degree angle between the hosel 18 and the shaft 14; 7=49°, 4=43°, etc. In a more preferred embodiment, each change of lie angle represented by a fractional number on the scale represents a ½ increment of lie movement reflecting 1 degree of change, plus or minus, to the base lie angle of 45 degrees. Therefore, a 5.5 lie angle corresponds to a 46 degree angle between the hosel 18 and the shaft 14; 6.5=48°, 4.5=44°, etc. Providing a standardized lie scale insures consistency when replacing or interchanging shafts and blades. This interchangeability extends throughout the range of relevant hockey shaft lengths and strengths. Therefore, a 5 lie on a blade for a senior player is identical to a 5 lie on a blade for an intermediate or junior player.

With reference to FIGS. 6-8, a method for measuring the lie angle 34 of the flat blade 12 of the present invention is there shown and illustrates a first preferred embodiment for determining the proper blade lie angle for full blade-to-surface contact uses a static lie determination system. A player 38 is standing still in an upright stance and a certain height above a hard surface 36 replicating a playing surface. Preferably, the player 38 has on a pair of hockey skates or roller blades. Alternatively, the player 38 may stand on a level stair-step 40 provided with a height 42 of 2⅞″ above a hard surfaced area such as a concrete or wooden floor (see FIG. 8.) The player 38 must wear the preferred hosiery worn during skating, or, alternatively, none at all if this is preferred. This height is an average height that a player is above the playing surface from the bottom edge of a skate blade and attached boot to the bottom of a player's foot (with or without the preferred hosiery.)

While standing on skates or the step, the player holds a hockey stick having a shaft 14 and a blade 12 upright and parallel to the player's body to measure the preferred shaft length (see FIG. 6.) Adjustments are made to the shaft 14 by cutting the handle end 16 off to the appropriate point or if the shaft 14 is too short, then finding a longer shafted stick or adding a plug to extend the length. Preferably, the proper length of the shaft 14 is determined by resting the handle end 16 of the shaft 14 on the player's chin area, the shaft 14 extending parallel to the player's body, with the blade 16 extending at an angle to the hard surface 36 and the toe of the blade 24 on the surface 36 and resting the opposing end of said shaft 14 against the player 38. A preferred length of the shaft 14 is when the top edge of the handle area 16 falls between the chin and the nose of the player 38.

Once a preferred shaft length is determined and provided, the player 38 grasps the shaft 14 at the handle 16 and extends the hockey stick 10 in front so that the player's arm is in line from shoulder to hip at the player's side while standing up straight with a relaxed grip (see FIG. 7.) Bending the player's elbow slightly, the heel of the player's hand should rest at the greater trochanter, above mid-thigh and even with the buttocks. Successful full blade to surface contact occurs when the lower edge of the blade 44, between the heel 22 and the toe 24, lies flat on the hard surface 36. If the lower edge 44 of the blade 24 does not lay flat on the surface 36, then the player 38 chooses a different stick 10 with lie angle from the rack 46 until such contact is found. Preferably, if the heel 22 of the blade 12 is too high and angles upward from the hard surface 36, then the lie angle 34 of the blade 24 to the hard surface 36 should be increased, i.e., from a 4 to a 4.5. Alternatively, if the toe 24 of the blade 12 is too high and angles upward from the hard surface 36, then the lie angle of the blade 12 to the hard surface 36 should be decreased, i.e., from a 4 to a 3.5.

Alternatively, an active lie determination system may be used for measuring the lie angle of the flat blade of the present invention wherein the player 38 is skating on a playing surface 36. Initially, the player 38 determines the proper height of the hockey stick shaft 14 using the method above while standing in skates (hockey or rollerblades, or any other proper footwear for the chosen sport) on the playing surface 36. Once the proper shaft 14 is measured, the blade 12 is wrapped with tape 48 in the flat area 44 between the heel 22 and the toe 24 (FIG. 4.) The player 38 then skates along the playing surface 36 while holding the handle 16 of the shaft 14 in the player's hand and placing the blade 12 upon the surface 36 so that the taped blade 12 makes contact with the playing surface 36. Preferably, the player 38 skates along the surface 36 in a normal playing stance so that an accurate assessment of blade to surface contact is created along the taped area 46 of the blade 12. After skating, the lower edge of the blade 44 along the taped area 46 is observed to determine the blade to surface contact area.

Successful full blade to surface contact occurs when the lower edge of the blade 44, between the heel 22 and the toe 24, lies flat on the hard surface 36. If the lower edge of the blade 44 does not lay flat on the surface, then the player 38 chooses a different stick 10 with lie angle 34 until such contact is found. Preferably, if the heel 22 of the blade 12 is too high and angles upward from the hard surface 36, then the lie angle 34 of the blade 12 to the hard surface 36 should be increased, i.e., from a 5 to a 5.5. Alternatively, if the toe 24 of the blade 12 is too high and angles upward from the hard surface 36, then the lie angle 34 of the blade 12 to the hard surface 36 should be decreased, i.e., from a 5 to a 4.5.

The lie angle 34 of the blade 12 may be adjusted after each trial skate to achieve maximum blade contact with the surface thereby increasing puck control and shooting of the individual player.

Other modifications to the present invention include a blade, hosel and shaft formed of any one or combination of several types of materials such as aluminum, wood, a polymer, an alloyed steel such as tungsten, any carbon materials such as graphite or any other materials used in the industry that are capable of withstanding the repeated stress of a high speed shot or pass. 

1. A method for providing full blade to surface contact of a hockey stick to a particular hockey player comprising the steps of: providing a hockey stick having a shaft and a blade having a heel and a toe extending from one end of said shaft; positioning the player in an upright stance at a height above said surface equal to the average height of a hockey skate on said surface; measuring said shaft for the player's preferred shaft length by placing said one end of said shaft with said extending blade perpendicular to said surface with said toe of said blade on said surface and resting the opposing end of said shaft against the player; holding said opposing end of said shaft in the player's hand; placing the said blade upon said surface; extending the player's arm in line with the player's shoulder and hip; bending the player's elbow slightly; resting said opposing end of said shaft at the greater trochanter of the player's hip; determining if full blade to surface contact wherein the lower edge of said blade between said heel and said toe contacts said surface; and noting the lie angle of said blade to said surface for the player.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said surface is a hard surface.
 3. The method of claim 1, and further comprising the step of: before positioning the player, choosing the preferred foot covering being one of: naked feet, a pair of socks or hosiery.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said positioning step includes standing the player on a hard surfaced step equal to approximately 2⅞″ perpendicular to and above said surface.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said positioning step includes standing the player in a pair of hockey skates
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said preferred shaft length extends between the nose and the chin of the player.
 7. The method of claim 1, and further comprising the step of: after determining said blade to surface contact; amending the lie angle of said blade when said lower edge is not in full contact with said surface.
 8. The method of claim 7, and further comprising the step of amending the lie angle upward when said lower edge is not in full contact with said surface, forcing said heel of said blade upward and away from said surface.
 9. The method of claim 7, and further comprising the step of amending the lie angle downward when said lower edge is not in full contact with said surface, forcing said toe of said blade upward and away from said surface.
 10. A method for providing full blade to surface contact of a hockey stick to a particular hockey player comprising the steps of: providing a hockey stick having a shaft and a blade having a heel and a toe extending from one end of said shaft; positioning the player in an upright stance at a height above said surface equal to the average height of a hockey skate on said surface, wherein said positioning step includes standing the player in a pair of hockey skates; measuring said shaft for the player's preferred shaft length by placing said one end of said shaft with said extending blade perpendicular to said surface with said toe of said blade on said surface and resting the opposing end of said shaft against the player; wrapping said blade with tape in the area between said heel and said toe; holding said opposing end of said shaft in the player's hand; placing the said blade upon said surface; the player skating along said surface with said taped blade making contact with said surface; determining if full blade to surface contact wherein the lower edge of said blade between said heel and said toe contacts said surface; and noting the lie angle of said blade to said surface for the player.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein said surface is a hard surface.
 12. The method of claim 10, and further comprising the step of: before positioning the player, choosing the preferred foot covering being one of: naked feet, a pair of socks or hosiery.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein said preferred shaft length extends between the nose and the chin of the player.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of determining full blade contact includes viewing said tape along said lower edge of said blade to determine said blade to surface contact area.
 15. The method of claim 14, and further comprising the step of: after determining said blade to surface contact area; amending the lie angle of said blade when said lower edge is not in full contact with said surface.
 16. The method of claim 15, and further comprising the step of amending the lie angle upward when said lower edge is not in full contact with said surface, forcing said heel of said blade upward and away from said surface.
 17. The method of claim 15, and further comprising the step of amending the lie angle downward when said lower edge is not in full contact with said surface, forcing said toe of said blade upward and away from said surface.
 18. A hockey stick providing a lie-specific and flat-bottomed blade for full blade to playing surface contact comprising: a shaft comprising a handle at a first end and a hosel at a second end opposite said first end and having an imaginary Y-axis extending along the centerline of said shaft lengthwise between said first and second ends; a blade comprising a heel at a first end and a toe at a second end opposite said first end, said blade comprising a lower edge extending between heel and said toe, said blade having an imaginary X-axis extending along the centerline of said blade lengthwise between said heel and said toe; and a lie angle lie equal to the angle between the X and Y axes, wherein each degree of movement or rotation of the said blade relative to said shaft corresponds to movement of the X-axis relative to the Y-axis resulting in an angle measurement of a preferred lie angle for full blade to playing surface.
 19. The hockey stick of claim 18, wherein said full blade to surface contact occurs when said lower edge of said blade lies flat on a hard surface.
 20. The hockey stick of claim 19, wherein said full blade to surface contact occurs along the playing surface at all distances from the body of the player. 